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K-State notes: Ferguson likely to play free safety

Senior could replace injured Zimmerman

WACO, Texas — There has been no official confirmation, per coach Bill Snyder's tight-lipped approach toward injuries, but free safety Ty Zimmerman is all but certain to miss Kansas State's game at Baylor.

Zimmerman left last week's game at TCU with an injury to his left ankle or leg, and just how long he will be sidelined is unknown. That makes Thomas Ferguson the probable starting safety as the No. 2 Wildcats face Baylor's potent passing attack at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Ferguson, a senior recruited as a cornerback, has played a back-up role in the secondary plus special teams duty throughout his career. He drew one start his freshman season in 2009 and entered this season as a contender for the starting strong safety spot, which went to Jarard Milo.

“Fergy played well on special teams last year and is a kid who likes to hit,” Tom Hayes, defensive coordinator and secondary coach, said prior to the season.

Ferguson has appeared in six games this year, making five tackles with a fumble recovery. He made one stop last week after taking over for Zimmerman in the third quarter.

Snyder is comfortable having the versatile veteran play a bigger role in the secondary.

“Thomas got on the field (at TCU) and played reasonably well,” Snyder said. “He's made some headway. He has some experience in the program, which is beneficial. He's played a number of spots, which to me is a very positive thing because it gives you more of a global picture, which playing in the position he played the other night you really have to have.”

Along with Zimmerman, two other Wildcats went down with injuries last week and are not expected to play against Baylor. Both are wide receivers, Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton, which depletes that position.

Lockett hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter and, while it didn't appear as severe as Zimmerman's injury, the sophomore wideout and return specialist is doubtful. Sexton suffered a shoulder injury, possibly a broken collarbone.

QUICK KICK

■ Collin Klein needs one rushing touchdown to become the first quarterback from a BCS automatic qualifying school to have 20 rushing touchdowns and 10 passing touchdowns in two seasons. He is one of four players to accomplish the feat once along with Auburn's Cam Newton in 2010, Florida's Tim Tebow in 2007 and Nebraska's Eric Crouch in 2000.

All three won the Heisman Trophy, although Crouch won his trophy in 2001.

■ Anthony Cantele has made three field goals each of the past two games, and the Lou Groza Award semifinalist is 17-for-20 this season.

■ Baylor has not allowed a field goal the past seven games but has given up 44 touchdowns in that span.

■ The Bears have scored 15 touchdowns on drives of one minute or less and 28 in two minutes or less.

TRE TRAVELS: Linebacker Tre Walker is out for the season with a knee injury sustained in the Texas Tech game, but Snyder used a travel roster spot to take one of the team’s emotional leaders to TCU.

“Tre has been a very positive leader in our program,” Snyder said, “and I think our players have responded to him well and I wanted his leadership with us in the locker room and sideline.”

Snyder said Walker would probably make the Baylor trip but the travel roster hadn’t been finalized as of Tuesday.

BOWLING BEARS: While K-State is working toward a Big 12 championship and a spot in the BCS championship game, Baylor is attempting to become bowl eligible.

The Bears are 4-5 and need two wins to go bowling, concluding the season against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

“One of our first goals every year is to become bowl eligible,” coach Art Briles said. “The great thing is we have three games left in front of us so we can get there if we take care of business. We have three great football teams (to play), we understand that, but if you want to be one of the teams people have a lot of respect and belief in, you have to do some things that give you that respect factor.”